Stamp-affixing and envelope-sealing machine.



E. J. ABBOTT. STAMP APPIXING AND IWBLOP SEALING MACHINE,

APPLICATION FILED APR 27, 1911, 1,055,692.

Patented Mar. 11, 1913.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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I J2} a W17 Mi W 1214672 f cm 0am E. J. ABBOTT. STAMP APFIXING AND ENVELOP SEALING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR 27, NHL 1,055,692.

Patented Mar. 11, 1913.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

E. J. ABBOTT.

STAMP AFFIXING AND ENVELOP SEALING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.27,1911.

1,055,692. Patented Mar.11,1913.

7 SHEETSSHEET 3.

E. J. ABBOTT.

STAMP APFIXING AND ENVELOP SEALING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APR. 27, 1911.

1,055,692. Patented Mar. 11, 1913.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

'CZzQZHK- 3 1 46..5J/M. Q/

E. J. ABBOTT.

STAMP AFFIXING AND ENVELOP SEALING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 27, 1911.

1,055,692, Patented Mar. 11,1913.

7 SHEETSSHEET 5.

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E. J. ABBOTT.

STAMP AFFIXING AND ENVELOP SEALING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APR. 27, 1911 W711 6 1/61? J27 V64 501". 42. M ma zdwdfld 1.14am, v

E. J. ABBOTT. STAMP APFIXING AND ENVELOP SEALING MAUHINB.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 27, 1911. 1,055,692, v Patented Mar.l1,1913.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 7 Wily)? e t laid 3% W; f9 Eda: afiai vzjwmm {5y az ipw/ velop sealing UNITED STATES PAT NT; onn cn.

EDWARD J. ABBOTT,

-or MISSION .iuno'rron,

STANP-AFFIXING AND ENVELOP-SEALING Specification of Letters .Patent. Application filed April 27, 1911. Serial no. 623,834.

BRITISH COLUMBIA, c aNApa.

MACHINE.

- Patented Mar. ;1 1,1913.

. To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that-I, ED\VARD J. Anno'r'r, a subject of the King of England, and a resident of the city of Mission Junction, Provinceof British Columbia, and Dominion of Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stamp-Affix ing and Envelop-Sealing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in" 'With these objects in view my invention consists in a stamp aflixingand envelop sealing machine characterized as above mentioned and in certain details of construction and arrangements of parts all as will be hereinafter more fully described 'and particularly pointed out in the apthe stamp detached, Fig. v9 is 1 pended claims.

. My .invention will more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specifica'-' tion, and in which,

Figures *1- and 2 are elevations of-the respective sides of a stamp :aflixing and en-.

machine embodying my invention, Fig. 3' is a top: plan view thereof, Fig. tie a vertical section taken onsubstantially line 2-2 of Fig. 3, Fig. 5-is.'a-

vertical section taken on substantially line y-y of Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail fragmentary sectiontaken on substantially line x-ac of Fig. 3, Fig. 7 is an enlarged "detail fragmentarysection taken on substantially lin'e w-w of Fig. 4, Fig. 8 is a sectional-plan view of the well included in licking or moistening mechanism an end elevation of the machine illustrating the mechanism for tilting the envelop-flap moistening well, parts of the machine being omitted, Fig. 10 is a top planrfi' iew of the well included in the envelop-flap moistening mechanism, detached, Fig. 11 is a sectional detail of the envelop gripping and feeding rollers, also illustrating the method by which the flap of the envelop'is moistened, Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail section of the stamp ribbon or strip feeding and cutting mechanism ,illustrated in the of is an envelop magazine said magazine, said spring 5 thegearing/included in the construction, i

and Figs-1'5 is asection taken on substantially ,.li'ne u-u of Fig. 14. v

The preferred form of'my construction as drawings comprises a frame 1 in which the several parts of mech I anism are attached and mounted, thisframe being designed torest upon a suitable sup-. port such as a table or desk so that the machine will be positioned for manual operation.

Arranged in the frame 1 at one end there- 2, the latter being pivotally mounted upon inwardly projecting pins '2' sides of said frame. The magazine 2 is of any suitable dimensions, the same being howeverof such a size as'to adapt the same to receive an envelop of standard or conventional dimensions. The free or inner end of the magazine Q'rests upon a roller 3, the extremities of the shaft l of said roller being mounted as will be hereinafter described as to permit of vertical movement of said roller. In order to yieldingly maintain saidend of said magazine in position upon the roller 3, a leaf spring 5 1s pro vided which restsagainst the upper end of being fixed at its lower end to a transversely extending bar 6 provided in the frame l.v Provided within the magazine 2 are centering guide 7 flexibly depending from the upper edges of thesides of said magazine and adjustable at their lower ends by means of screws 9' which en age against bars 8 connecting the lower en s of said guides at corresponding ends or sides of said magazine.

The magazine '2 is open at its upper end and also atits bottom except for the ledge 10 which projects inwardly across the back of said magazine. With this arrangement it will be observed that the envelops resting in the magazine will be supported at their rearward edges their forward edges upon the roller. 3.

Arranged below the magazine 2 in close proximity with the bottom thereof is a providedin the opposite upon said ledge 10 and at transgersely extending plate 11 the extremities of which are reciprocally mounted in ghide slots 12 ingtheopposite sides of the frame The envelops positioned in clear y shown in Fig. 11.

. the roller 3. 'Witlithis the magazine 2 are arranged with their flaps downwardly andso that the latter rest upon arrangement upon reciprocatory movement of the plate, 11, the

lowermost envelop in the magazine 2 'will' beengaged and withdrawn from the magazine upon each reciprocation of said plate by reason of the forward edgeof the latter enga ing under thefiap of said envelop as withdrawing plate" is beveled .as. clearly illustrated inqFig; 4 'so that 'upon reciprocation thereof as mentioned, said edge will readily pass under the forward edge of the magazine effecting elevation of the latter to" permit of the passage of the envelop .car-

ried' by said plate and preventing"with drawal of the 'envelops positioned abovethat engaged." Said plate, will" deliver. said envelop to superimposed coorferat' v rollers 13 and 14, the shafts 15 and 16 respectivelyof which are rotatably mounted in the oppositesides ofthe frame 1;

At one side of the frame l islocated the.

crank handle 17 which is fixed to one ext-remity of the shaft 18, the latter being operatively connected.with the shaft 16 through the medium of meshing gears 19ai1d20 which are fixed respectively to said shaft-s 15 and 18,,as clearly shown in Figs. 14, and 15.

Operative cbnnection between theshafts 15 andl6 is effected through the medium of meshingpinions 21 and 22 which are respec tively carried bysaid shafts, helical compression springs',23 'being' arranged under ends of the shaft 1 also'the rollers 13' and 14 the-movable bearinfigs carrying the respective I in order to maintain the pinion -22-.in mesh with the pinion .21 and in yielding engagement with each other; Rockingly mounted in the fram'el' below the plate 11 is a transversely extending shaft '24to the respective ends of which are fixed upwardly extending arms 25 the upper ends of which slidably engage pivoted blocks 26 carried at the upper sides of the ends of said plate-11; the arrangement being such that uponoscillation of the shaft 24 and hence the arm 25, said late will be reciprocated in the manner a ove'mentioned to effect withdrawal of envelops from the magazine 2. Fixed to the rearward extremity of the shaft 18, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, is a v crank arm 27v to the free end'of which ispivot-ally the opposite'end of said link being adjustsecured one extremity of a link 28,

ably'secured by means of a screw or other connecting device 29 with one of the arms. v 25; an elongated slot 30 provided in said" end of said linkfor engagement by the securing device 29 permitting of the adjust" ment mentioned. With this arrangement then, it will be seen that upon rotation of Said edge of. said memes] a I etfected. Y

velpp,'the guinmed si e of said flap will be drawnfrom said plate by the roller 3Iand therollers 13 and 14, 'said1;flap will be pressed against the under side of the body of the: envelop toefl'ect sealing of the latter. This moisteningdevice comprises an elongated rectangular well 31 one edge of which is provided atits extremities with angular notched plates 32 for pivotal enga ement of moistened and so that when saidenvelop is inwardly projecting pins 33 provi ed at they; opposite sides of the frame 1. The-arran e ment is'suchhas will be observed,'that the inner end portion of the" well 31-is free-for oscillation' and so that when the same is locked upwardly a strip 34 of absorbent material which is provided in said end of said well and which in thelupper side thereof as clearly shown in Fig, 4 will be pressed into engagement with the under side of the plate 11 and apply moisture thereto as above mentioned,

projects through an opening on The.

pivot plates 32 so engage the pins33 that said'well maybereadily removed if desired for adjusting the absorbent strip 34 or for filling the well with. water -Such filling bein efieoted upon removal of a plug 35 provided in, the top of said wellas clearly shown in Fig, '10. Rocking of the free or inner'end of the well 31 as just mentioned, is eflected through the medium'of a-leyer' 37 which is fulcrumed intermediate its extremities asj 'at 36 atone side of the frame 1 as shown in Fig. 9.1 Theinne'r end of said lever normally rests by gravity upon a cushion 38 provided upon the transversely extending plate 39, saidend of said plate terminating as to supportthe inner or free end of the.

well '31 so that the absorbent with the plate 11, although however, out of engagement therewith. The arrangement is such that when the outer end of said lever is depressed the inner end thereof upon being elevated, will elevate the inner end of the well 31 forcing'the absorbent strip thereof into Contact with said withdrawing plate 11 as above mentioned. Such rocking of the .lever 37 is effected by the link 28 before mentioned, the end of said link which is connected with the arm 25 being adapted to contact a screw 40 provided in theouter end of the lever 37 when the arm '25 is at its outer terminal of oscillation and hence the plate 11 at its corresponding terminal of restrip of the latter will normally rest in close proximity igouaeea ciprocation to'eifect lowering of the outer end of said lever 37 and hence elevation of 'the inner end thereof with the results as abovedescribed, Through the provision of said screw 40 it will be observed that adjustment isafiorded whereby the amplitude'of movement of the be regulated;

Provided within, the frame 1 at the 0pposite sides thereof immediately below the extremities of the plate 11 are levers 41 .which aregrockingly mountedintermediate theirfextreinities upon screw studs 42 secured in frame 1, as clearly shown in' Figs. 4 and 6. FThe'inne'r ends of the levers 41 serve to 'support't-he respective extremities of the shaft 4 0f the roller 3 so thatwhen said levers are rocked said roller will be v'ertically'moved. The inner extremities of the levers 41 are-supported upon-the upper end portions of vertically disposed levers 44 .which are pivoted intermediate their extremities at 45. The upper ends of the le vers 44 are formed each with two steps 44 and 44", the inner ends'of the levers 41 engaging the upper steps 44? when the roller 3 is at its upper terminal of movement, the

same engaging the" steps 44" when said roller is at its lower terminal of movement.

Provided adjacent the inner ends of the le- I ve-rs 41La-re stops 41 which limit upward movement thereof. The "outer or opposite I i extremities of the levers 41 "are formed at their upper edges with Iinclined cam surfaces 41 for engagement by the 'under side j o'f theplate '11-, the arrangement being such that' when said plate is moved outwardly f the extremities thereof will rideup on said' i g cam surfaces 41' and depress the outer ex- -"treniities of the levers 41 so as to effect upward movement flensionsprings43 cooperate with the lower ends of the levers 44510 that when said lev 41 are so rocked by the plate '11, the upper .ends of the levers 44 will be. rocked so as to effect engagement. "ofthe steps 44 with said ends of said levers 41 in order 'to maintain the latter in this position roller 3st its upper terminal of movement. When in this position the roller 3 is adapted toengage against the under side of the plate- 11 and so that when an envelop is carried by said plate the flap of said envelop will he the under side of said plate to insure moistening of the um pressed tightlyagainst thereof by the moisture which is carrie by said plate. When said plate reaches its inner terminal of movement the same will engage 'the upper extremities of the levers 44 and disengage the outer ends of the levers 41. The engagement of the levers 44 will effect rocking of the upper ends thereof to release the inner ends of the levers 41. $5 Upon release of said ends of said levers 41 the roller 3 ar will rest upon the steps 44 free end of the well31 may ited upon said roller 3.

to press the same of 'the inner ends thereof. T'a'ndf-hence vertical movement of the roller 3.. I

or into a'receptacle if desired,

and hence the wardly until the inner ends of the levers 41 of the levers 44, said roller 3 when in this position being out of engagement with theplate 11 and so that when the envelop is removed from the latter and carried forwardly by therollers 13 by. gravity move down: I

and 14, the moisture remaining upon the under side of said plate will not be 'depos-. Hence with this construction it will be seen that at each reciprocation of the platen the roller '3 will be moved vertically in the manner and for the purpose described.

Upon leaving the sealing rollers-13 and 14 the envelop passes between superimposedrollers 46 and 47, the former beingcarried bythe shaft 18 and the latter by a shaft 48 whose extremities are mounted in bearings provided in the sides of the frame 1, rotation of the roller 48 being eflectedthrough' frictional contact with the roller 46. In order therefore to. maintain a close engagement of the roller 47 with the roller 46 the extremities of the shaft 48 are engaged by helical compression springs 49 which serve downwardly and hence the roller 47 correspondingly into close contact with the upper side of the roller 46. The

space between the sets of rollers 13 and 14 and 46 and 47 is spanned by bars 50 which are spaced apart, the extremities of said bars engaging circumferential grooves rovided respectively in the rollers 14 an 46 as clearly illustrated .in Figs. 3. and 4. Upon leaving the rollers 46 and 47 the envelops are deposited upon the inclined plate 51 extending transversely within the frame 1, the outer ends 'of the bars 50 serving as strippersto direct the envelops to said plate wherethe same are-discharged from the machine upon the table or desk top provided for the reception thereof. I In the passage of an 'envelopfrom the rollers 13 and 14 to the rollers 46 and 47, a stamp is applied thereto, the mechanism for effecting the application "of the stamp to the envelop being set forth in the following.

Secured rigidly to one side of the frame 1' at the upper edge thereof and adjacent therearward or discharge end of the machine is an inwardly projecting bracket 52, shown clearly in- Figs. 13 and 14. Carried at the inner end of the bracket 52 is a horizontally disposed stamp-strip channel orguide 53, the same being of such a width as to be adaptedto permit of the passage of a stamp of usual dimensions therethrough. Also secured to the bracket 52 is a rearwardly projecting arm 54 upon the free extremity of which is mounted a circular stamp strip or ribbon magazine 55, the loop 56 provided at one side of said magazine engaging said extremity of said arm 54 as clearly shown in Fig. 12 last referred to. Arranged centrally within the magazine is an arbor 57 upon which may be supported a stamp strip coiled thereon as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 13. The upper portion 58 of the magazine 55 is hingedly secured as at 59 to the lower or body portion of said magazine so as to permit of upward swinging of the former so as to gain access to the interior of the magazine in arranging a 'stamp'strip coil upon the removably supported arbor 57. The outer end of the stamp strip 60 passes .through the outer discharge opening 60 of the magazine entering the outer end of the channel or ide passage 53. Provided at the lateral e ges of the channel 53 are longitudinally extending leaf springs 61 which are adapted to ress against the upper sides of the lateral e ges of the stamp strip so as to hold the latter flat uponand in close proximity with the bottom of said stamp passage v53. The outer ends of the springs 61 are connected with a yoke 62 which is rigidly secured to the guide 53 by means of screws 63.

Dependingfrom the guide 53 at the lateral or longitudinal edges thereof are flanges 64 in which is mounted a transversely extending shaft 65 the outer end of the latter also projecting t irough the adjacent portion of the frame 1 as indicated in Fig. 7. Rising from the guide 53 at the inner end thereof is an inverted U-shaped supporting frame 66 in the upper end of which is mounted a rock shaft 67. The outer end of the rock shaft 67 terminates in a crank arm 68 as clearly shown in Figs. .7 and 12, the free extremity of said arm 68 loosely engaging an arcual slot 69 formed in the upper free end of a lever 70 which is fulcrumed at its lower end at 71 upon a bearing plate 72 rigidly secured to the outer one of the flanges 64. The arrangement is such as will be observed that oscillation of the lever 70 will impart corresponding oscillatory movement to the shaft 67. Projecting from one side of the lever 70 is a pin 73 which is positioned for engagement by the points of a three-pointed star wheel 74 carried by the v shaft 65, so that when said shaft 65 is rotated the lever 70 and hence the shaft 67 will be oscillated, said star wheel being adapted to oscillate said lever and shaft three times at each complete rotation thereof.

Carried by the shaft 67 intermediate its extremities is a rocker arm 75 adjustably secured thereto by means of a set-screw 76. The free end of the arm 75 is operatively connected through the medium of a link 77 with a stamp strip feed 78 which embraces and is reciprocally mounted upon the guide 53. The arrangement is such as is apparent upon oscillation of the shaft 67 in the manner above set forth, the member 78 will be 79 with the reciprocated upon the guide 53. Pivotally mounted in the upper side of the member 78 is a plurality of .dogs or pawls 79 having their free ends pointed and disposed for normally engaging the bottom of the stamp passage 53. Said dogs 79 are so arranged as to be adapted when reciprocated to engage the perforations which separate the stamps of the stamp strip and so that when said dogsare reciprocated the stamp strip will be fed forwardly by said dogs upon forward movement of the latter. In order to insure a positive engagement of the dogs perforationsin the stamp strip the section 80 of the bottom of the stamp passage engaged by the dogs 79 is reciprocally mounted, said bottom of said passage in order to permit of such reciprocation being cut away as at 81. The section 80 is rigidly secured to the under side of the mem ber 78 by means of screws or other securing devices 82 so that said section-Will move a in unison with said member 78 and hence with the dogs 79. By this construction it will be seen that after engagement-of the dogs with the perforations in the stamp strip such engagement will not be distributed; that is said dogs will not be moved out of engagement with said perforations" except upon returnmovement thereof, it being clear that without the provision of the section 80 .movably mounted as described, the ends of the dogs would be required to slide upon the bottom of the stamp passage and so that any unevenness of said surface might eflect tripping of said dogs.

With the construction as jection is obivated.

It will be observed that the star wheel 74 is adapted to effect oscillation of the lever set forth this ob- 70 only in one direction and hence only forward movement of the stamp feeding mechanism; return movement of said lever and hence of the-stamp feeding mechanism being effected through the medium of a torsional spring 83 which is mounted upon the rock shaft 67. as'clearly shown in Fig. 7. Secured uponthe upper side of the frame 66 is a strap 84 one end of which projects be yond and depends from one edge .of the upper portion of said frame. Threaded in said end of said strap is a screw 85 the inner end of which is adapted to serve as a stop for the rocker arm 75 thereby serving tolimit return movement of the stamp strip feeding mechanism. With this provision it will be seen that the amplitude of the reciprocation of the stamp feeding mechanism may be readily adjusted by simply adjusting said screw 85', thereby adapting the device for employment in conjunction with stamps of various lengths.

Mounted upon the upper side of the frame 66 is a registering device or meter 86, the actuating stem of which is provided with a rocker arm 88. The free end of the lat-- ter is connected through the medium of a link 89 with a crank arm 89 provided atthe rearward extremity of the rock shaft 67. W it-h this provision it will be observed that each actuation of the stamp feeding mechanism will be registered since each oscillation of the shaft 67 effects corresponding oscillation of the actuating shaft 87 of the meter 86. lhis being so a register of the number of stamps affixed by the machine will be kept since upon each actuation of the stamp feeding mechanism the stamp strip is fed forwardly, a distance corre sponding with the length of a stamp to position the terminal stamp for severance and application as will be described hereinafter.

Carried upon the outer end of the shaft as clearly shown in Figs. 1 1 and 15 is a star wheel 90 arranged adjacent the inner side of the gear 20 carried by the shaft- 18. Loosely mounted in the gear 20 for transverse sliding movement therein, is" a pin 91 adapted when at its inner terminal movement as shown in Fig. 14 to engage the slots 92 provided in the periphery of the star wheel 93. Said star wheel is provided with three slots 92 which are spaced equidistant in the periphery thereof, the arrangement being such that upon each rotation of the gear 20, the pin 91 thereof will be adapted to engage one of said slots 92 to rotate the wheel 90 through one third of a rotation or one hundred and twenty degrees. As will be observed by reference to Fig. '15 the pin 91 upon rotation of the gear 20 will not engage directly with a slot 92,

but will engage the periphery of said wheel 90 and partially rotate the latter by contact with the periphery thereof before sliding into engagement with the slot. Thus an operative connection is established between the operating shaft 18 or the operating handle 17 and the stamp feeding mechanism so that upon each rotation of said handle the stamp feeding mechanism will be actuated to effect feeding of the stamp strip forwardly a distance equal to the length of a stamp as above mentioned. Ar-

ranged adjacent the periphery of the wheel 90 is a spring detent 93 which is adapted to engage with projections 94 provided in the periphery of said .wheel 90 in order to prevent movement of said wheel because of inertia beyond its proper position when the device is being rapidly operated. The detent serves as will be observed merely to yieldingly retard said star wheel, permitting of passage or rotation thereof when sufficient force is exerted thereon as through the medium of the operating handle. The outer end of said detent is secured to the frame 1 by means of the screw 95, the latter engaging an elongated slot in said end which obviously permits of adjustment of detent in accordance with the projections upon the star wheel.

Arranged upon the frame 1 adjacent the lower side of the gear 20 is a spring cam plate 96 which is positioned in the path of the pin 91 as clearly shown in Fig. 15; said cam plate being of. such formation as to be adapted upon rotation of said gear 20 to engage the inner end of the pin 91 and force the same outwardly to inoperative position. Inward movement or forcing of said pin 91 is effected through the medium of a circular cam plate 97 which is loosely mounted upon the shaft 18 at the outer side of the gear 20, said plate being positioned for engagement with the outer extremity of said pin as clearly illustrated in Fig. 14. Said cam plate 97 is however adapted to effect such movement of said pin only when the same is at its inner terminal of movement upon the shaft 18, such movement of said pin not being possible when said plate is at its outer terminal of movement. Hence with this arrangement it will. be observed that upon rotation of the gear 20 the cam-plate 96 will positively effect movement of the pin 91 to inoperative posi tion, said pin remaining in this position unless the cam plate 96 is positioned as above mentioned at its inner terminal of movement. Therefore with this construction when the machine is in operation the feeding mechanism will remain inoperative unless the cam plate 97 is properly positioned.

Projecting from the cam plate 97 is a stem 98 which is connected through the medium of the connection 99 with a transversely extending rod 100 slidably mounted in the frame 1. Also mounted in the frame 1 above the rod 100 is arod 101 adapted for rocking movement .in said frame. De-

pending from the rod 101 is an arm 102 the lower end of which terminates, as clearly shown in Fig.6 in the path of an envelop fed through the device. The arrangement is such that rocking of the arm 102 and hence of the rod 101 will be effected by contact with the forward edge of an envelop carried by the plate 11, the lat.- ter being cut away at 103 so that when an envelop is not carried by said plate said arm will not be engaged and hence will not be actuated. E

Fixed to the rearward extremity of the rod 101 as clearly shown in Fig. 2 is a lever 103 the free end of said lever being weighted in order to normally maintain the arm 102 in operative or traversing position. Arranged below the lever 103 and fulcrumed at 10a is a lever 105, one end of which is engaged by a roller 106 carried by one end of the lever 103'; the arrangement being sewed inward slid,

l. tact with the adjacent end of the le 83. effecting deptesslon their The opposite end of the lever 105 is oierzitively connected throiiph the medium of liiilt 19? with a bell crank M8. the latterheme" DlVOZHll meat of the rod 100 effects will be oblg of the $1111 plots 91'! to operative position as shove desciiloed. l Vith the construction then as last set fOfll-l1 it will he observed tlist wh the machine in operation, the co n. o c will he moved to operative positios hence stomp feeding mechanism. sctust-d only upon the feedingof so envelop throiiz'h the device since in such oprstion the shite 9"! upon each rotation of the will force the pm 91 QU'ZWmKll'] such oin tot clog the com plots 9"? coi'respoiii'lingiv outwardly to inoperative position" will remain in this position t operative position iiiiless tli some is moved e to operative position by the rod till). The

ZO-fl 100 will remain inert erz-ice'ot of the rod 101 and only by on envelop c I 1 lc' as show Having explained tlc eonsti-oction tion. of the mech 'oe Whicl n the withdrawal of the s velop it. ti of through the machine and sis-o sttuctioii for feeding the s" no word a position for applies i stomps to the envelop in its the machines the construction which is sevei'ed and o l o will roost he "Tesciiliec rth. the following;

from the we the trainee 66 i oiwoid or on the strip possoge 53 shown in 13, the stamp stiip, when the ins-- e. iii-e is is operation losing ed iorougli said opening end there severed. w nded at the vertical edges of the pl to iii ere chooor guide flanges ll l itch embrace the of o rectangular holder 11.5 the some slidsliljy sooui'itsd thereon lOWBl nols ii end of ti edge oi. said base is grovided. with knits edge 115 which is oriented, when said mem be? 115 is moved dos-iii 'srdlyiipon the plate ll]. to sever the s op strip projecting through the opening ill. The member 115 is carried by snsngulaioperating has 116, the lower or vertically extending portion of said he? being slida oly mounted in guide lugs 11? formed upon the adjacent side of ne 1 as clearly illustrated. iii Figs 5, it The upper' horizontsl v disposed is bar 116 projects ovei' the upper "he member 115, the losing secured thereto by means of s stoop engsges thereovoi'. The adjacent of the member 11.5 registering with the opening between the sides or ends of the st 118 is slotted so as to permit of relative Vertical movement of said has 116, a compression si time 119 being arranged to? engagement- 'Slidahly mounted Within the holder 115 is a, plunger 120 which is secured to the lower end of vertically slotted stem 121 psi end of the letter engaging over the her llfi as clearly shown in Fig. 13. A helical COIIlPFQSSlOH spring 122 interposed between the under side of said has 116 and the upper side of the plunger 1:20 serves to normally maintain the letter in the position relative to said her as shown in Fl 13 it will he observed that the lower on of the plunger 190 is molly positioned above the lower ot the holder 115, said plunger .3 being permitted by reason of the "connection of the latter with the has o5 lowered to register with the lower extremity oat said holder when the latter has been brought to a stop in the manner hereinafter set forth.

il ulcrumed st 123 upon the tsont side of the frame 1 adjacent the gear 20 is is level the tree of said le'vei' heing o pei'stively connected by means of it link 1525 with. the operating; member 116 so that depression I downward movement of said memher 116 Mi order to corresponding movement of the holdes ll. and the ports connected tlieret'ith (which constitute the stomp sfor sp ll; 111g mechanism) will be oftested by d WIPLWSld rocking of said end of said leien with sold lever is s torsional ing 126 which is adapted normally to maintain the some and hence the o geiiztiiig hc- 116 at itsiipper terminal of movement By reference to Figs 14: and 15 it it" he ohseived that the lever 124; is the path of the pin 91 so that tion of the gear 20, as shove de- 'le ieferiihg to the stamp teed sin, said pin Will he adopted to stfect depression or: downward levei' os mentioned. F L11.-

the upi lessees W I ther, the construction is such that said lever will be depressed by said pin only when the latter is positioned at its inner terminal of movement so that said lever will be operated only when the star wheel 90 and hence the stamp feeding mechanism is operated, such operation being clearly set forth-above.

Arranged forward of the rollers 14: and directly below the stamp applying mechw anism, is a table 12? preferably provided with a rubber covering at its top, as shown in 6. Said table is so positioned thatin operation of the device, one end of the envelop will in its passage from between the rollers 14 and 15 be drawn across the upper side thereof. The downward movement of the member 115 as caused by the lever 12% through operation by the pin 91 is such as to bring the former into-engage ment with the upper side of said table or into contact with an envelop which may be positioned thereon and so that upon such movement of said holder when the device is in operation, the stamp which is severed thereby, providing the latter has been moistened, will be applied to the envelop by the plunger 120 i which is forcibly pressed against the envelop.

Slidably mounted upon the upper edge as or" the front side oft the frame 1 adjacent the envelop magazine is a channel member 123 upon which is 'fulcrumed at 128 intermediate its extremities a lever129, one half of said lever being positioned at the inner side of the frame member and the other half at the outerside thereof. Carried at the inner end of the lever 129, as shown in Fig. 6. is a rectangular well 130 in the forelongated slot in said dog limiting the oscillatory movement thereof. The construction is such that when the lever 129 is at its inner terminal of movement the outer extremity thereof will release the free end of the dog 134 permitting of the latter dropping to the position as shown in Fig. 1. Upon return movement of the plate 11 and engagement of the latter with the roller 133, said dog will retard the movement of 975 said lever so that continued movement of the plate 11 toward the roller 133 will efiect depression. of thelatter and hence of the corresponding end'of the lever to a position below the tree end of the dogwhen said 89 lever will be moved along with the plate 11,

the outer edge of the plate 11 being then brought into engagement with the depend ing portion at the outer. extremity of the lever 129 to which said roller is secured. 35 Such depression of the outer end of said -lever 129 obviously efiects corresponding upward movement of the inner end thereof and hence of the well 130, such movement of the latter bringing the absorbent strip w 131 into engagement with the portion or the stamp strip projecting from the opening 111. Upon the outward movement of the lever 129 as mentioned, said absorbent strip will evidently be drawn across the under or 5, gummed surface of the stamp strip licking the same preparatory to application to the envelop. Forward movement of the lever, that is toward the stamp is efieoted by the plate 11 engaging a depending arm 1% 137 secured to the member 128. Also secured to the. member 128 is a flexible arm 138 at the inner extremity of which is carried a plate or jaw 139 positioned for cooperation with the absorbent strip 181. of the well'130. Saidplate 139-ismoved' si multaneously with said-well and is'adap'ted by means of a leaf spring 140 which engages with the arm 138 to be forced downwardly ward end of which is provided a strip 131 i as of absorbent material which projects through an opening in the upper side of said well; access to the interior of said well for filling being afiorded through a removable plug 132. The well 130 is positioned as for registration with the stamp discharge opening 111, so that when the stamp is projected from said opening the absorbent strip 131 will be rocked into engagement with the gummed side thereof to effect moisteningthereof in the manner set forth in the following. Provided at the free extremity of the outer endot the lever 129- is a roller 133, see particularly Fig; 1. Said roller is so positioned that upon reciprocation of the as envelop withdrawing plate 11, the outer edge of one extremity of said plate will upon return movement of thelatter engage said roller to eiiect slight depression thereof and corresponding movement of the o lever 129. In this connection however, a dog 13% which is pivoted at 135 cooperates with the outer end of said lever 129. The free end of the dog 13 i engages a pin 13% projecting from the adjacent. side as the t5 frame 1, said pin by engagement with an stamp when said well is forced "upwardly into engagement with the under side, thus affording means for positively "effecting moistening of the stamp, since said plate 139 will obviously-serve to force thestamp into close engagement with the absorbent strip the spring 1 10 in this operation, when the arm 138 is brought into contact therewith, serving to flex the free end of the latter downwardly. v 1

The mechanism is so timed'that when 'in operation the stamp strip will first-beprojccted by the feeding mechanism through the opening 111'. The licking or moistening mechanism .will then be brought into play to effect the licking or moistening of the stamp or portion'ot the stamp strip pro jecting tromf' said opening; Upon return movement of the licking mechanism thestamp applying orafiixing mechanism will 1 30 into engagementwith the upper side of the no be iowercd cii'cciing H142 bglV-Qiiih; of by i chi-1'1, as new and desire to sccni'e bv Lefs'i'mnp and H20 zppiiczai on hereof in file c11- ici'r Patent is:

I, L [(iflp which will have 1 a possiiioo by (he \vi'fiuh'nwiw play the feeding roller: i'hni' H10 shim; prone/1'15 positioned thecez W reason of The p11 1cm: in'i'mo'll [0 Stud J i. in a stamp affixing and envelop sealnmchinc iho cmnl'inniioii of an envelop c i'ecipirocefoi'y inccimn'em for an iiicaliy \Yifluh'mving an en L ielop from unit-om of said inaguziiic and. for seal the flap thereof; n'nmunlh' operated Ming; :1 positive opeiniivc 0 fiction bc- .beri Wnei'eby ti e stomp oci no mechanism hi3 1 an miveiop :en said gearing and; said envelop with yg he eiiYciop n'lagziz n owing and sealing means; chimp feeciii'lg ie icc. ovision 15 cutting mechanism; means; esi'zib will not be use? fling an opemtive comics" 5 e011 2. (1

ing and said sminp fecdi i 61. i

vi vice when izhe stzznipc 1 mechanism; and osciliatol y means project- 'When the entire :coii my" cntireiy across the path of said envelop I ."Hov/ing provision ie wi ldrawi mechanism for Remaking said. ing arm 141 is secured to his mentioned means for eshbiishing said. the frame 1 at the any) ive coimection s id 0c eatery moms :recfl ab oted io be ope'i'ziiied 11y e ole? s carried by said enveiop Wifiiln'iechenisim subsizaniioii as do electr a stamp a g; and envelop sezi1- roe/god iim the 131g nmchine, the combination of an envoiop to 'tiwa IQC lPI'OCHtOIY plate for Wii 1- i enveiop from said magazine; operated gem-mg; a BUSH has Live connection between 511' iact s cnveiop W"-"hd1*2m/ing ioiio and cuii'iiig med .11

i 0: Lu. sizing an operative c & buzzer vecn said ciriving gearing ind SEE). stomp being I ding and cutting mechanism; osciiletoiry 1 J.1S 111 Rn on f d oscillated only by an enby 's2.1d envelop Withdrawing oily as described.

rocked :ice 015 said driving" bewveen and said enveiop Wifliiooisccning; cevice stamp mechaiisn'i; means; for s'izxiive conneci' on bcmeans and sad stemgi e 1; one. means uvelop carried seio oni W1 55 pi /Le and comprising an we i ing cownwardiy across the 33:2 :21 V51: the xJ/eiop for actuating said last-zmmec. iimdificniione z r fi-" ilblish said operative connection, the a ma e a 7 'ibed,

mo; and. envelop secl- MUCH an enveiop i "ibeii m invcn im whet i magazine; a fiat smooth reciprocatory plate arranged below said magazmeadapted to engage under the flap of the lowermost envelo in said magazine to withdraw said 3 5, enve op therefrom; a moistening device adapted to be rocked into engagement with the under side of said plate to apply moisture thereto; driving gearing; a positive operative connection between said gearing" and 1 said envelop withdrawing plate and moistening device; rollers for sealin the envelop flap; stamp feeding and cutting mechanism; means for establishing an operative 7 connection between said driving gearing and said stamp feeding and cutting mechanism; and oscillator means operative by an 'envelo carried y said envelop withdrawing p ate for actuating said last-named means to establish said operative connection,-

substantially as described.

5. In a stamp aifixing and envelop sealing machine, the combination of an envelop magazine; a reciprocatory plate arranged below said magazine adapted to engage- 25 under the flap of the lowermost envelop in said magazine to withdraw said envelop therefrom; a moistening device adapted to be rocked into engagement with the under side of said plate to apply moisture there- 3'0' to; driving gearing; a positive operative eonnectionbetween said gearing and said (envelop withdrawing late'a-nd' moistening device; rollers for sea ing the envelop flap; stamp feedin and cutting mechanism;

' :5 means for esta lishing an operative connection between said driving gearing and said stamp feeding and cutting mechanism; os-

cillatory means operative by an envelop carried by said envelop withdrawing plate for 4 4o actuating said last-named means to establish a said operative connection, and a recipro--- catory stamp moistening device positively connected with said driving gearing, sub- T stantially as described.

" 6. In a stamp aflixing machine, the combination of an envelop magazine; a reciprocatory late for withdrawing an envelop from said magazine; driving gearing positively connected with said envelop withdrawin plate; a stamp magazine adapted to hol' a strip of stamps; reciprooatory means for feeding said stamp strip from said stamp magazine; a cutter-adapted to sever the stamps from said strip; means for establishing' an o erative connection between said gearing an saidstamp feeding and cutting mechanism; and means coeperative with the withdrawing plate for actuating said last mentioned means, substantially as described.

7. In a stamp affixing machine, the combination of an envelop magazine; a reciprocatory plate for withdrawing envelope from said magazine; driving gearing operatively connected with said envelop withdrawing 65 plate; a stamp 'magazipe adapted to hold a strip of stamps; a cutter adapted to sever the stamps from said strip; rcciprocatory means for feeding said stamp strip from said stamp magazine to said cutter; a star wheel and a lever adapted when 0 erated to actuate respectively said stamp ceding and outw ting mechanism; avpin carried by said driving gearing adapted to operate said star w eel and lever; means for normally. positioning said pin" in inoperative position;

and means coeperative with the Wltlldl'fiNV 4 ing plate for movin said in into operative position, substantia y as escribed. I

8. In a stamp aifixing machine, the combination of an envelop magazine; means for withdrawing an envelop from said'magazine; operating gearing operatively connected with said envelop withdrawing means; a

stamp magazine adapted to hold a strip of' 3 stamps; a stampcutting and appl'yin mechanism; reciprocatory means a'daptetfto enggge the (perforations in said stamp strip tween a 3acent stamps for feeding the latter from said stamp magazine vtoward "said.

cutting and applyingmechanism; means for establishing an operative connection between said operating geari ing and applying mec anism ;'and'means cooperative with the withdrawing means for actuating saidlast mentioned means, substantially as described.

and said stamp feed-.

9. In a stamp afiixing machine, the coins" bination of an envelop magazine; means forwithdrawing zine; operating gearingoperatively connected with said envelop withdrawing means; a

stamp magazine adapted to hold a strip of stamps coiled therein; a stamp cutting and applying mechanism mounted for reciproca tion transversely of said st mp strip; reciprocatory means adapted to engage the rforations in said stamp strip between a ]acent stamps for feedi plying mechanism; a star wheel ada ted when rotated to actuate said stamp fee ing an envelop from said magaioo the latter from said stamp magazine towar said cutting and ap- I no a positioning said pin in inoperative position; and means cooperative with the withdrawing means for moving said pin into operative position, substantially as described.

10. In astamp afiixing machine, the conibination of an envelop magazine; means for withdrawing an envelop from said magazine; operatinggearing operatively connected with said envelop withdrawing means; a

stamp magazine adapted to hold a strip of stamps; a stamp cutting and applyin mechanism; reciprocatory means adapte to engage the perforations in said stamp strip between adjacent stamps for feeding the latm postpone ter from said stamp magazine toward said nisms,ofmeansformoisteningthe end ofsaid cutting and applying mechanism; means for stri prior to severance by said severing establlshin an operative connection bemec anism, said means comprising a recip tween sai operating gearing and said rocatory well having an absorbent strip proa stampieding and app means cooperative with the withdrawing and be drawn across the underz'side-of the means for actuating said .last mentione stain said absorbent strip assuiningaposi-. means, substantially as described; s tion below said stamp in its movement to- -11. In a stamp'afiixing machine, the comward the same; means for elevating said strip bination oft-an envelop magazineg, means into contact with the stamp when positioned v 'for l withdrawin'g; an envelop from said directly below the same and for maintaining magazine; operatinlg gearing operatlvely, said strip in this position; a jaw cooperating connected withrsai envelop wlthdrawin 'with said absorbent strip and adapted to means; a stamp magazine adapted to hol engage-against the np'perside of the stem I 15 a strip of stamps';ja.stamp cutting and apsaid jaw assuming a positionabove t 9 plying 'mecha1'1ian1' reciprocatory means stamp. in its movement toward the same; 1} adapted to engage the perforations in said means for forcing said jaw into enga ement j stam strip between adjacent stamps for with: the stamp when positioned firectlyfeedin the latter. from said stamp magazine over the same; and an operative connection 2e towar saidgcutting and applying mechabetween said moistening well and jaw and 7o t'flnism; means-for establishing an o'perative said 0 crating means", substantially as deconnection betweenlsaid crating gearing scribe 7 j and s'aidstamp feedingl'andiap yingmech- 1 14. Ina stamp afiixing machine, the -com 7 I anis' m; means cooperative in v 'the Witlr bination'with an envelop magazine and en-: 25; drawingimeans"forzactuating'said last men velop sealing and feedlng .rolls of; means j7b, tioned means; substantially as described. comprising a reciprocatory plate for feed-.

ying mechanism jecting from itsnpper side adapted to engage '55 12. Inna stamp aifixingfma'chine, thecoming s1ngle enve1ops. fromthe magazineto bina'tionjof an envelop magazine; means for the rolls, a stamp feeding and afiixing mech l withdrawing 'an envelop from said magaamsm and driving means therefor and Q iHe'; o 'eratin ring operatively c0nnect-. means projectin downwardly across the A ed wit said envelop withdrawing" means; path of the enve opbut outof contact with .a stamp magazine adapted to hold a strip the envelop feeding plate for; connecti of stiszxhps j'fastamp; cutting and. applymg the stampffeeding and aflixin means wit mechanism; reciprocatoiymeans adapted the envelop feeding means an means com- 3 5 engage theperforationsm'said stamp strip prisingareciprocatory spring stem conev 8 5 *betweengadjacent stamps forffeeding the lattacting jawfland a reclprocator an rockter from said stamp ma azine, toward said ing stamp moistening pad 'lor olding and. j I cutting and'applym'g mec anism;'means for; moistenin'g stamps means responsive to the" establishing an operative connection bereciprocation ofsaid plate for reciprocating 3 '4o'tween saido' I v j I f feedin'gand a plying mechan sm; means C0: said ad aga1n st the under side-of the stamp operative wit I the withdrawing means for tofho d 1t a amst the' aw during 1ts moveactn'ating saidlast mentioned'means; are Ement away,- rom the stain perating gearingand said stamp said jaw and said pad and for pressing iste'ring device operatively connected wit ,7 In testimony whereof I have signed 7 4p; saidfeeding mechanism: substantially as de{ name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. 1f 18;lna'stainp'aflixingmachine,the-comb1-' i v I EDWARD J'. ABBOTT.L 'netion'w'ith stamp stripfee'dingmechamsm,a Witnesses-qv severin and-stamp applying mechan1sm,,and' v P. W; DAYER,

60 means or'mannally operating said mecha- Gnonon A. WATSON. 

